Deliberative functions of general assembly

Functions and powers of the General Assembly

Forum for multilateral negotiation

Established in 1945 under the Charter of the United Nations, the General Assembly occupies a
central position as the chief deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United
Nations. Comprising all 193 Members of the United Nations, it provides a unique forum for
multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter. It also
plays a significant role in the process of standard-setting and the codification of international law.

The Assembly meets from September to December each year, and thereafter from January to
September, as required, including to take up outstanding reports from the Fourth and Fifth
Committees. Also during the resumed part of the session, the Assembly considers current issues of
critical importance to the international community in the form of High-level Thematic Debates
organized by the President of the General Assembly in consultation with the membership. During
that period, the Assembly traditionally also conducts informal consultations on a wide range of
substantive topics as mandated by its resolutions.

Functions and powers of the General Assembly

The Assembly is empowered to make recommendations to States on international issues within its
competence. It has also initiated actions—political, economic, humanitarian, social and legal—which
have benefitted the lives of millions of people throughout the world. The landmark Millennium
Declaration, adopted in 2000, and the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document, reflect the
commitment of Member States:

 to reach specific goals to attain peace, security and disarmament along with development
and poverty eradication;
 to safeguard human rights and promote the rule of law;
 to protect our common environment;
 to meet the special needs of Africa; and
 to strengthen the United Nations.

In September 2015, the Assembly agreed on a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals, contained
in the outcome document of the United Nations summit for the adoption of the post-2015
development agenda (resolution 70/1).

According to the Charter of the United Nations, the General Assembly may:

 Consider and approve the United Nations budget and establish the financial assessments
of Member States;
 Elect the non-permanent members of the Security Council and the members of other
United Nations councils and organs and, on the recommendation of the Security Council, appoint
the Secretary-General;
 Consider and make recommendations on the general principles of cooperation for
maintaining international peace and security, including disarmament;
 Discuss any question relating to international peace and security and, except where a
dispute or situation is currently being discussed by the Security Council, make recommendations
on it;
 Discuss, with the same exception, and make recommendations on any questions within
the scope of the Charter or affecting the powers and functions of any organ of the United
Nations;
 Initiate studies and make recommendations to promote international political
cooperation, the development and codification of international law, the realization of human
rights and fundamental freedoms, and international collaboration in the economic, social,
humanitarian, cultural, educational and health fields;
 Make recommendations for the peaceful settlement of any situation that might impair
friendly relations among countries;
 Consider reports from the Security Council and other United Nations organs.

The Assembly may also take action in cases of a threat to the peace, breach of peace or act of
aggression, when the Security Council has failed to act owing to the negative vote of a permanent
member. In such instances, according to its “Uniting for peace” resolution of 3 November 1950, the
Assembly may consider the matter immediately and recommend to its Members collective
measures to maintain or restore international peace and security. (See “Special sessions" and
"Emergency special sessions”.)

The search for consensus

Each of the 193 Member States in the Assembly has one vote. Votes taken on designated important
issues— such as recommendations on peace and security, the election of Security Council and
Economic and Social Council members, and budgetary questions—require a two-thirds majority of
Member States, but other questions are decided by a simple majority.

In recent years, an effort has been made to achieve consensus on issues, rather than deciding by a
formal vote, thus strengthening support for the Assembly’s decisions. The President, after having
consulted and reached agreement with delegations, can propose that a resolution be adopted
without a vote.

Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly

There has been a sustained effort to make the work of the General Assembly more focused and
relevant. This was identified as a priority during the fiftyeighth session, and efforts continued at
subsequent sessions to streamline the agenda, improve the practices and working methods of the
Main Committees, enhance the role of the General Committee, strengthen the role and authority of
the President and examine the Assembly’s role in the process of selecting the Secretary-General.
During the 69th, 70th and 71st sessions, the Assembly adopted three landmark resolutions on the
revitalization of the work of the General Assembly (resolutions 69/321, 70/305 and 71/323),
which inter alia provided for informal dialogues to be held with candidates for the position of
Secretary-General of the United Nations, established an oath of office and a code of ethics for the
Presidents of the General Assembly, and provided for informal interactive dialogues with candidates
for the position of President of the General Assembly.

The practice of convening high-level thematic interactive debates is also a direct outcome of
the revitalization process.

It has become an established practice for the Secretary-General to brief Member States periodically,
in informal meetings of the General Assembly, on his recent activities and travels. These briefings
have provided a well-received opportunity for exchange between the Secretary-General and Member
States.